South Africa continue their winning run

South Africa ended their group stage unbeaten as they defeated UAE by six wickets in New Delhi on Wednesday. The 2024 runners-up chased down a modest target of 123 in 13.2 overs.

After rain delayed the start of the second innings, South Africa started strong, bringing up 56/2 in PowerPlay. Aiden Markram was off to a flier, scoring 28 in 11, with the help of five fours and a six but he was castled by Haider Ali.

Though they lost the openers in the first six overs, Dewald Brevis (36) and Ryan Rickleton (30) steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership and took the Proteas to the brink of a dominant victory.

Put into bat, UAE looked fluent for the first four overs, but South Africa pegged them back with a couple of wickets. From 36/0 after four overs, UAE slipped to 44/2 at the end of PowerPlay, with openers Aryansh Sharma and Muhammad Waseem back in the pavilion.

Pacer Corbin Bosch (Player of the Match) was the one that provided the breakthrough and led the South African fightback in a brilliant spell of 3/12 in four overs. Anrich Nortje claimed 2/28, while George Linge chipped in with a wicket to hold UAE to 122/6.

Alishan Sharafu, who has come up with some vital contributions this World Cup, was once again the top-scorer for UAE, notching 45 off 38 balls. But the UAE middle and lower order was put under pressure by South Africa in overcast conditions in New Delhi.

The Proteas were uncharacteristically sloppy in the field on Tuesday, dropping at least two regulation catches and will want to tighten up as they chase the title.

South Africa Men’s Squad - ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka  (DP World Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors).

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Group D Results

Monday, 9 February at 3.30pm SAST

South Africa v Canada - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad - SA won by 57 runs

Wednesday, 11 February at 7.30am SAST

South Africa v Afghanistan - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad - SA won in second Super Over

Saturday, 14 February at 3.30pm SAST

New Zealand v South Africa - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad - SA won by seven wickets

Wednesday, 18 February at 7.30am SAST

South Africa v United Arab Emirates - Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi - SA won by six wickets